Merchandising cart



March 15, 1966 B. BRAUN MERCHANDISING CART Filed Oct. l, 1963 www u* 'Il 11W/23 MU .Mum 2 A@ 15 WUZQA L Il 1 ATTORNEY 3,240,507 MERCHANDTSIINGCART Bernard Braun, 13d-72 226th St., Laurelton, N.Y. Filed Get. l,1963, Ser. No. 312,915 4 Claims. (Cl. 280-475) This .invention relatesin general to a merchandising cart, and more specifically to amerchandising cart constructed and arranged so `as to enhance the saleof beverages and to facilitate .the handling and disposing of thereturnable empty beverage containers in which various beverages areretailed.

Many various kinds of beverages are today sold in returnable containersor bottles and the like on which a deposit is required at the time ofsale. For this reason, the customers purchasing such beverages areobliged to return the emptied containers to the store or market ofpurchase .to claim the refund of such deposit. Therefore thesupermarkets, retail outlets and the like, selling such beverages, areconfronted with a serious problem of handling and disposing of thereturnable containers. The problem of the empty returnable containers isparticularly aggravated in the so-called self-service or supermarketsbecause such `stores accept such returns only at a particular locationor register specifically set aside for such refunding. Since thesemarkets or stores do volume business, the emptied returnables arequickly accumulated. Heretofore, such empties Were permitted toaccumulate in a `random manner and With little attention given to theproblem of handling and disposing of the same. Consequently such areaswould become so cluttered that there is presented an unsightly andhazardous condition Within the store. Also the effort to effect removalof such empties resulted in much Waste of time and lost motion on the.part of the store employees who otherwise could be utilized to greateradvantage.

Oftentimes the store proprietor would seek to solve the problem by usingthe conventional shoppin-g cart to collect the returnable empties.However, the use of the conventional shoppin-g carts was ineffectivebecause too many of the carts would be kept out of circulation and thusresulted in an inefficient use of such carts and an inconvenience to theshopper.

It has also-been discovered that the particular area of the store towhich the empties are returned forms the best location from amerchandising point of View to sell the full containers of beverages.This is because a customer returning the empties can convenientlyrepurchase a further supply from the -same area and without the Wastemotor `of shopping for the same. Thus, the sale of bottled beverages canbe enhanced.

Prior to the instant invention, it has been further observed that clerksare required to continually stock the shelves from which beverages aregenerally retailed. In doing so, the aisle space in the vicinity of suchshelves was required to be blocked during such restocking. As a result,traffic in the store is hindered Whenever such stocking operation is inprogress.

It is therefore an object of this invention .to provide means tofacilitate the handling and disposing of the returnable empties in aconvenient and expeditious manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an arrangement forfacilitating the handling of the returnable empties and at the same timeenhance the sale of the full containers of beverages.

It is another object of this invention to provide for handling anddisposing of the empty returnable containers in a manner in which theheretofore unsightly accumulations of empties is completely eliminated.

States Patent O 3,240,507 Patented Mar. 15, 1966 ICC Another object ofthis invention is to provide for the handling and disposing ofreturnable empty beverage containers in a retail outlet or the like in amanner which substantially minimizes the amount of waste or breakage.

It -is still another object of this invention to provide for stocking of.bottled beverages and the like in a manner which will not interferewith the tratiic in the shopping aisles.

Another object is to provide means for placing sales inducing copy at acentral focal point in a retail outlet.

-lt is another object of this invention to provide an imlprovedmerchandising cart capable of handling a relatively large volurne ofreturnable empties in a neat and orderly manner and at the same time beutilized as a display in retailing full containers of beverages.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedmerchandising cart which is relatively simple in construction, can beeasily fabricated, and is positive in operation.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained inaccordance with this invention by a merchandising cart which comprisesessentially a base frame supported on Wheels or the like to facilitatethe movement of the same. In accordance with this invention means areprovided for defining on the base frame a pair of juxtapositionedcompartments disposed in side by side `relationship constructed andarranged so as to facilitate the storage yof emptied returnables in onecompartment and to effect a display of full beverage containers in theother compartment.

In order to form a readily safe and convenient deposit for thereturnable empties, the compartment for receiving the same isconstructed and arranged with a front wall that is lower than the rearwall thereof and which is formed `with -a full open top. The display ordispensing compartment is constructed and arranged so as to facilitatethe stacking and removal of the beverages therefrom. This is attained byproviding the compartment for receiving the same with an inclined bottomwall and with a full open front and top. If desired load stabilizingmeans may be provided to distribute or carry the load therein. Inoperation, the merchandising cart thus provides ample storage area forneatly receiving and storing the returnable empties and for displaying asupply of full beverage containers from which the same may be readilysold.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that theconstruction of the cart is such that it is relatively light in weight,sturdy in construction, and readily transportable from. place to place.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that a supplyof full containers may be conveniently stored and sold therefrom andfrom which the individual same may be readily removed therefrom.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that thereturnable empties may be handled and disposed in a neat and orderlymanner and With a minimum of breakage.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that the saleof beverages displayed in retail in this manner is enhanced inasmuch asthe prospective purchaser will more readily make a purchase if the samewere readily noted.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that acustomer of bottle beverages is notl required to travel from onelocation to another of the retail outlet to purchase beverages and toreturn the empties.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that thenumber of man hours required for handling empties can be substantiallyreduced in that the instant invention requires the consumer to disposeof his own empties into the cart, thus performing the work that a storeemployee was heretofore required to do.

Another feature of the invention resides in the vprovision that theretailing and display compartment on the instant mechandising cart isloaded or filled in the storage area of the store and thereforeinterference with the sh-opping customers heretofore resulting duringthe restocking of the shelves is completely eliminated.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation View on the improved mechandising cart ofthis invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the mechandising cart of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a right end view of the mechandising cart of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the modified form of theinvention.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of another modified form ofthe invention.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings there is shown the merchandising cart 10 ofthis invention. It comprises essentially of a base frame 11 defined byrectangularly disposed structural members, e.g. angle iron or the like.The arrangement is such that the vertical legs of the respectivestructural members define an upright ange 11A and the other leg portions11B of the respective frame members 11 are horizontally disposedinwardly of the base frame. A pair of longitudinally extending angleiron stringers 12 are interconnected between the end members of theframe. The respective angle iron stringers 12 have one leg 12A thereofturned downwardly and the other leg portion 12B thereof disposedhorizontally toward the horizontal flange or leg 11B of the adjacentside frame member. Accordingly, the horizontal leg portions 11B and 12Bof the side members and the stringers respectively are disposed in acommon plane opposite one another. Connected thereto and therebetweenadjacent the corners of the frame is a plate or gusset 13 to which thewheels or casters 14 are mounted. Accordingly, two of the wheels orcasters are swivelly connected, and the other two are fixedly connectedto their respective gussets to facilitate steering and guiding of thecart 10.

Connected to the base frame 11 and extending upwardly therefrom arerectangularly disposed wall means to define a pair of juxtapositionedcompartments 15, 16 disposed in side by side relationship. In accordancewith this invention, the wall means are disposed to define one.compartment 15 for receiving returnable emptied containers, as forexample bottles and the like, from which various beverages are retailed;and the other compartment 16 is constructed and arranged so as todisplay and retail therefrom containers which are filled with beverages.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the compartment 15 for receiving thereturnable empty containers is proportioned so as to occupy the majorportion of the frame area. In the illustrated embodiment, thiscompartment 15 is shown as occupying approximately two thirds of thebase frame area.

The compartment 15 is defined by a rectangularly disposed wall portion.In the illustrated arrangement, the opposed end wall portions 17, 18 ofthe compartment 15 are each defined by an inverted U shaped tubularframe member 19, 20 having corresponding front and rear leg portions.The lower ends of the respective leg portions are securely fastened tothe base frame by any suitable means. Secured to each of the respectiveinverted U shaped end frame members is a panel 21 of wire latticeconstruction or the like to define the end walls 17, 18 of thecompartment.

Connected to and between the corresponding front and rear legs of therespective U shaped end members is a longitudinally extending crosspiece or tie member 22, 23. As shown, the respective front and rear tiemembers 22, 23 are defined as shallow inverted U shaped members.Accordingly, ends relatively short depending leg portions of the tiemembers 22, 23 are secured between the corresponding leg portions ofinverted U shaped end frame members to dene the outline for the frontand rear panels 24, 25 respectively of the compartment 15.

The front and rear walls or panels 24, 25 are likewise formed of openwire grill or lattice construction. In the illustrated embodiment, fronttie bar 22 is secured to the corresponding front legs of the respectiveinverted U shaped members 17, 18 at an elevation lower than that of therear cross bar 23 is connected to the corresponding rear legs of therespective inverted U shaped end frame members. The reason for this isto permit a customer to more easily position the initial emptiedcontainers onto the bottom 26 of the compartment. As shown, the bottom26 is also formed of wire lattice construction. With the cart emptied, aperson may readily bend over the front wall 24 of the compartment 15 toplace a returnable emptied container on the bottom 26 of the compartmentwithout causing it to drop a considerable distance, and therebysubjecting the same to likely damage or breakage.

The remaining portion of the base frame 11 is utilized to define thedisplay compartment 16 in which the full containers of beverages may bestacked and from which they are retailed. Accordingly, the dispensingand retailing compartment 16 of the cart 10 is defined by the end wall18 of the storage compartment 15, a rear Wall 27, forming an extensionof the compartment rear Wall 25 and an end wall 28. In the illustratedembodiment, the rear Wall 27 of the display compartment 16 is defined byan inverted L shaped frame member 29 in which the horizontal portion 29Aof the frame 29 is secured to the rear leg of the inverted U framemember 20 and the lower end of the vertical leg portion 29B of the Lshaped frame member 29 is secured to the base frame 11 by a suitablemeans. Accordingly, the L shaped frame member 29 and the rear leg of theU shaped end frame member 20 defines the rear wall area of the displaycompartment 16. Secured thereto is the rear wall 27 of the displaycompartment which is likewise formed of open wire grill work similar tothat of the rear wall 25 of the storage compartment 15. The end wall 28of the display compartment, as shown in FIG. 3, is defined by an opengrill or wire lattice construction. Accordingly, a display compartment16 is formed so as to have a full open front and a full open top. Thebottom wall 30 of wire construction is supported on the frame, and asshown in FIG. 3 is inclined to slope downwardly from the front to back.The arrangement is such that cartons or cases of full containers can bestacked one onto the other in the display compartment in a manner so asto prevent the same from being accidentally spilled from the full openfront.

If desired a load stabilizer 31 may be provided in the displaycompartment 16 to relieve the bottom 30 from some of the load. The loadstabilizer 31 comprises a shelf which is hingedly connected to the rearwall 27 for movement between vertically stowed inoperative position andhorizontally disposed operative position. As shown, the shelf 31 isformed of open wire lattice construction in which the ends of one of thecross wires 32 extends beyond the side forming Wires 31A of the shelf.

Fixed to the inside of the opposed end walls 18 and 28 of thecompartment 15 intermediate height thereof and spaced inwardly therefromslightly is a rail forming wire 33 which serves to support the front endof the load stabilizer 31 in the operative horizontal position thereof.As shown, the respective rail 33 is provided with a bend 34 adjacent thefront thereof for receiving and supporting therein the extended ends ofthe wire 32. Thus a firm support is provided for the load stabilizer 31in the operative position. Consequently it will be noted that the casesor cartons of beverages can be stored both on the bottom Wall 3l) andload stabilizer 31. Also the latter enables one to display variousbrands of beverages, i.e. one brand may be stacked on the bottom wall 30and another brand on the load stabilizer 31.

A handle means 35 in the form of a tubular U shaped construction issecured to the end wall 17 of the cart 10. From the foregoing, it willbe noted that the cart can be easily wheeled from one position toanother by simply pushing the same by means of the handle.

To enhance sales of the product retailed from the cart, a back board 40,41 of sheet material is suitably connected to the cross bar 23, 29Arespectively for receiving suitable advertising copy.

In operation, the display compartment of the merchandising cartdescribed lis preferably loaded with a supply of beverages in the rearor warehouse area of the retail outlet or supermarket. Thus, the stockclerks can load the display compartment 16 of the cart with containerswithout disruption or interfering with shoppers traveling in theshopping aisles of the store. When the display compartment 16 of thecart has thus been loaded, it is then readily wheeled out to thelocation in the store, adjacent the refund register, so that customersreturning empties to the store may readily deposit the same directly inthe storage compartment of the cart immediately prior to receiving theirrefund. Thus the customer himself positions the returnable empties inthe cart thus obviating the need for an attendant to periodically clearthe accumulations of bottles from the floor of the store which wouldotherwise occur at the refund register. Because the full containers ofbeverages are conveniently located adjacent to the deposit area of thereturnable empties, a customer will more than likely pick up a fullcarton of containers in exchange for the empties. Thus, experience hasshown that the sale of a beverage is enhanced by the added convenienceafforded by the instant cart. Consequently, there is less likelihoodthat a purchaser will forget to make a purchase of such beverages. Thecart is constructed so as to receive and neatly stack a large quantityof containers in the storage compartment l5 of the cart and therebyavoid the clutter and unsightly appearance which heretofore resulted bythe return of such empties at the refund register. Also by causing theempty returnables to be neatly stacked in the storage area of thecompartment reduces the amount of breakage, loss or Waste. When the carthas been completely lled with returnable empties, an attendant can thenreadily wheel the merchandising cart from its position adjacent therefund register to the back or storage area of .the store, at whichpoint the returnable empties are removed. As the loaded merchandisingcart is being unloaded, another similarly constructed merchandising cartmay be substituted in place thereof at the refund register. Therefore,for optimum utility, it is preferred that a store utilize themerchandising cart in pairs. In this manner there is always .availableat the refund counter a cart l0 for receiving the empties. Thus, byalternating substituting the empty cart for the full cart, a steady andorganized manner of handling returnable empties is accomplished. As aresult, the area in the vicinity of the refund register will always beneat, pleasing, and safe.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the instant cart is relativelysimple `in construction, relatively light in weight, and can beconstructed and fabricated with a minimum of cost or effort. Thearrangement is such that the handling of the returnable empty containersis readily facilitated, and permits a greater number of empties to behandled with a minimum of personal attention on the part of the storeemployees, and with a minimum amount of breakage or Waste. Also, theconstruction of the cart is such that the sale of full containers ofbeverages is greatly enhanced by the added convenience afforded to thecustomers. Therefore, an almost automatic situation is afforded in thata customer returning an empty is likely to purchase a further supply ofbeverage. Actual experience has indicated that the sale of a givenbeverage can be enhanced when handled in the manner herein set forth.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a modified f-orm of load stabilizer for thecompartment 16A. In thi-s form of the invention the compartment 16A forreceiving the articles to be retailed is defined by rectang-ularlydisposed tubular frame members 44, 45, 46, 47 to which the respectivewire lattice walls of the compartment are secured. A load stabilizer orshaft 4S is adjustably supported thereon. Accordingly, the loadstabilizer comprises split sleeves 49, Sil, 51, 52 which are slidablyadjusted along the respective frame members or parts 44, 45, 46 and 47respectively. Connected intermediate the length of sleeves 49, 5f), 5land 52 is a wire lattice shelf or load stabilizer 53. The arrangement issuch that when the shelf 53 is horizontally disposed it may bevertically adjusted along its respective frame members 44, 45, 46 and47. The shelf or stabilizer is maintained in .its vertically adjustedposition by imparting a slight tilt thereto so as to be frictionallyretained. Thus articles may be stored above and below the loadstabilizer 48. In operation the load stabilizer can also ibe supportedby resting the same directly on the stacked article disposedtherebeneath and resting on the bottom of the compartment. With theconstruction described, the size of the article in compartment 16A canbe varied, i.e. the load stabilizer can be readily adjusted toaccommodate 6, 8, 101, 16 or 32 oz. bottles, cans and the like with easeand facility.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated withreference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatvariations and modifications thereof may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A merchandising cart comprising,

(a) a rectangular base frame formed of structural members,

(b) a bottom panel of wire lattice construction supported on said baseframe,

(c) casters connected to said base frame adjacent the respective cornersthereof,

(d) a pair of inverted U shaped frame members extending transversely ofsaid base frame in spaced relationship from one another,

(e) one of said pair of U shaped frame members being connected to oneside edge of said base frame, and the other U shaped frame member beingconnected to said base frame intermediate the length thereof andparallel to the other U shaped frame member,

(f) a longitudinally extending front and rear crosspiece interconnectedbetween the corresponding leg portion of said inverted U shaped framemembers,

(g) opposed side panels each formed of wire lattice construction to saidU shaped members, and between said cross-pieces and said base frame todefine Aa full open top compartment adapted to receive the returnableempty containers,

(h) an inverted L shaped frame member connected to one of said other Ushaped members,

(i) a rear panel of wire lattice construction connected to said L shapedframe member,

(j) and a side panel connected to the end of said base member to definewith said rear panel and side panel of said compartment a juxtapositioncompartment having a full open top and a full open front for receivingand dispensing therefrom full containers.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including,

(a) a load stabilizer in said juxaposition compartment,

(b) said load stabilizer including a shelf of wire lattice constructionhingedly connected to said rear panel for movement between verticalinoperative position and horizontal operative position,

(c) and means for supporting said shelf in the operative positionthereof.

3. A merchandising cart for receiving and storing re- (l) an open wirelattice panel connected to the other end of said base frame to definewith said rear wire panel and end wire panel of said compartment todeturnable empty beverage containers and for displaying and retailingtherefrom full containers of beverages comprisins,

(a) rectangularly disposed structural members defining a base frame,

fine a full opened top and front retailing compartment for receivingfull containers,

(b) casters connected to said -base frame for supporting (In) shelfmeans hingedly connected to said rear panel the same in rollingengagement with a floor, for movement between operatively horizontalposi- (c) a bottom wall supported on said base frame, tion andinoperative vertically stored position.

(d) a pair of spaced apart transversely extending, -up- 4. The.invention as defined in claim 3 and including, right inverted U shapedframe members connected (a) means dening n baek board extending upwardlyt0 Sad base member 20 from the rear extending cross member and the hori-(t) 911 0f Sald Pair 0f U Shape@ frame members zontal portion of said Lshaped member for receivbemg connected to one end of sald base frame,the ing advertising matten other of said U shaped frame members beingconnected to said base frame at a point intermediate the ReferencesCited bythe Examiner length thereof,

(f) each of said U shaped members having opposed UNITED STATES PATENTSfront and rear leg portions, Hunt X (g) a front and rear longitudinallyextending tubular Y, 5041476 9/1893 KCHY 28o-793 X cross memberconnected between the corresponding ,211001548 11/1937 Maxmfront andrear leg portions of said U shaped frame 213141490 3/1943 Goldman 10S-146 X members, 2,761,568 9/1956 Temple 211-148 X (h) said frontextending tubular cross member being 310071708 11/1961 Ochs 28o-793 Xdisposed lower than the rear cross member, 310931261 6/1963 Salat 211181X (i) an open wire lattice panel connected between the 31122238 2/1964Burnet@ 211-181X leg members of the respective U shaped frames and311371250 6/1964 Hutchinson 28047-34 X between the base frame and eachof said longitudinal- A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH H. BETTS, BENJAMIN HERSH,

Examiners.

ly extending cross members to define an open top compartment forreceiving a relatively large numer of returnable empty containers,

1. A MERCHANDISING CART COMPRISING, (A) A RECTANGULAR BASE FRAME FORMEDOF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, (B) A BOTTOM PANEL OF WIRE LATTICE CONSTRUCTIONSUPPORTED ON SAID BASE FRAME, (C) CASTERS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE FRAMEADJACENT THE RESPECTIVE CORNERS THEREOF, (D) A PAIR OF INVERTED U SHAPEDFRAME MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BASE FRAME IN SPACEDRELATIONSHIP FROM ONE ANOTHER, (E) ONE OF SAID PAIR OF U SHAPED FRAMEMEMBERS BEING CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE EDGE OF SAID BASE FRAME, AND THEOTHER U SHAPED FRAME MEMBER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID BASE FRAMEINTERMEDIATE THE LENGTH THEREOF AND PARALLEL TO THE OTHER U SHAPED FRAMEMEMBER, (F) A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FRONT AND REAR CROSSPIECEINTERCONNECTED BETWEEN THE CORRESPONDING LEG PORTION OF SAID INVERTED USHAPED FRAME MEMBERS, (F) OPPOSED SIDE PANELS EACH FORMED OF WIRELATTICE CONSTRUCTION TO SAID U SHAPED MEMBERS, AND BETWEEN SAIDCROSS-PIECES AND SAID BASE FRAME TO DEFINE A FULL OPEN TOP COMPARTMENTADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE RETURNABLE EMPTY CONTAINERS, (H) AN INVERTED LSHAPED FRAME MEMBER CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID OTHER U SHAPED MEMBERS, (I)A REAR PANEL OF WIRE LATTICE CONSTRUCTION CONNECTED TO SAID L SHAPEDFRAME MEMBER, (J) AND A SIDE PANEL CONNECTED TO THE END OF SAID BASEMEMBER TO DEFINE WITH SAID REAR PANEL AND SIDE PANEL OF SAID COMPARTMENTA JUXTAPOSITION COMPARTMENT HAVING A FULL OPEN TOP AND A FULL OPEN FRONTFOR RECEIVING AND DISPENSING THEREFROM FULL CONTAINERS.